Oil & Energy

Environmentalist Wants FG To Stop Gas Flaring

Published

12 years ago

August 5, 2013

An environmentalist, Mr Surveyor Efik, has urged the Federal Government to mitigate the impact of climate change by stopping gas flaring.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Efik, who is also the National Coordinator of Climate Change Network, an NGO, called for the formulation of a framework to stop gas flaring.

“The amount of associated gas that is being emitted or being flared since oil exploration and exploitation activities started is about 40 per cent of the total gas consumed in Africa.

“So, that amount of gas alone going to the atmosphere is contributing to greenhouse gas emission and for us to address it, I know Nigeria’s economy depends on oil and gas sector, this Petroleum Industry Bill, if well implemented, will address the issue of gas flaring seriously.

“It will hold these oil companies and bring them into order.

“Indonesia did that some few years ago; they started with regulating the oil industry activities with a legal framework, like we have put forward the Petroleum Industry Bill.

“All those oil companies, including Shell, which is also there in Indonesia, they are abiding by the laws and playing by the rules.’’

Efik also advised government to invest in climate change activities to mitigate its impact on the population.

He said such effort would encourage developed countries to support the nation’s climate change activities.

The coordinator said the National Adaptation Strategy and Plan of Action for Climate Change in Nigeria (NASPA-CCN) should be given financial backup to achieve the desired results.

He commended the Minister of Environment, Mrs Hadiza Mailafia, for developing the NASPA-CCN, which spells out the roles of all stakeholders regarding climate resilience adaptation in Nigeria.

Efik called on environment stakeholders to intensify awareness on the dangers of climate change.

“Let us create more awareness on the consequences, on the vulnerability; let people know how vulnerable Nigeria is; let them also know the consequential disaster that we might face if we don’t take precaution.

“If we carry out this advocacy, we’ll also make all the stakeholders that is the government stakeholders, the private sector stakeholders, the civil society stakeholders up to the communities, to know the roles they should play, the responsibilities they should take.

“So, if you and I play our roles, I think we will be able to overcome the future disastrous consequence that we might likely face, if we don’t do it today.’’

Efik also urged government to provide the required funding and undertake institutional reforms such as the creation of a Climate Change Commission.

Oil & Energy

INC Rallies Support Against Oil Theft In Niger Delta

Published

5 days ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Professor Benjamin Okaba, has urged the 215 host communities along the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) to give full support to Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), the surveillance firm securing oil pipelines on the Eastern corridor in the Niger-Delta.

Okaba, who gave the urge at a stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, at the Weekend, praised the company not only for its zero-infraction record on the TNP over the past month but for consistent engagement with host communities.

He said, “PINL has shown they are one of us. They are not foreigners. The fact that they have recorded zero infractions shows they are doing well. They may not be perfect, but there are clear signals they are ready to do better and carry everybody along. I urge our youths to stay patient, avoid vandalism, and take advantage of the livelihood packages provided.”

Also speaking, Head of Field Operations for the Eastern Corridor, NNPCL Project Monitoring Office, Akponine Omojevwe, credited the cordial relationship between PINL and host communities to the improved security.

In his words, “For the last month there were no infractions, which makes our work easier. This is the result of fantastic collaboration between the company and the communities, and I appreciate our royal fathers for their role in this.”

A lawmaker, Tari Porei, added that the struggle of the Ijaw people contributed to PINL’s establishment and urged youths to engage companies and government constructively.

He said, “If oil companies in the region had been as responsive as PINL, there would have been no need for agitation leading to vandalism.”

On her part, woman leader, Ingo Iwowari, commended PINL for including women in its programmes and urged other companies to follow suit.

“Pipeline vandalism is more than a security challenge — it’s a human community crisis. Ignoring women is ignoring half the solution. By empowering women, we can protect our pipelines, environment, and people. Inclusion brings lasting peace and faster recovery”, she said.

PINL’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said that zero infractions on the TNP in the past month have contributed to increased national oil revenue.

He noted that the Federal Inland Revenue Service recently confirmed Nigeria achieved its 2025 oil revenue benchmark for the first time in years, attributing part of the success to surveillance companies like PINL in it’s strong community partnerships, safety measures for personnel, timely salary payments, and rapid dispute resolution.

Mezeh also highlighted the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of scholarships across 215 host communities and training programmes for women.

“We remain committed to sustainable energy security in the Niger Delta and call on all stakeholders to work with us to protect these critical national assets,” Mezeh stated.

Oil & Energy

FG Approves N13bn For Power Infrastructure Upgrade In Lagos, Ogun

Published

5 days ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government has taken a significant step towards improving the country’s power infrastructure by approving billions of naira for various projects.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said out of the projects, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N13 billion for the project in Lagos and Ogun States.

He said four approvals have been made for the project, including payment of compensation to plot owners.

He said the FEC has also approved proposals for procuring new power transformers to upgrade the ageing national grid.

The minister explained that the project would ensure manufacturers receive stable power, driving economic growth and job creation.

Adelabu further explained that the N13 billion would be spent on the payment of the compensation.

Oil & Energy

NUPRC To Sustain Competitive Licensing Rounds … Prioritize Frontier Basin Exploration

Published

5 days ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at improving oil production and achieving energy efficiency in the country.

The Commission’s Chief Executive Officer (CCE), Gbenga Komolafe, expressed optimism about the Commission’s forward agenda which includes: sustaining competitive licensing rounds, accelerating frontier basin exploration; fast-tracking the reactivation of shut-in and dormant assets;

Speaking at the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), in Lagos, Komolafe stated that with 210.54 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, and 37.28 billion barrels of crude oil, Nigeria which currently produces approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil and 8 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, can increase its production to 3 million barrels of oil and 12 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

According to him, realizing these ambitious targets require sustained investment to unlock untapped basins, advance the development of mature and frontier fields, and establish critical oil and gas infrastructure to secure future energy needs as well as support the demands of the growing population.

“The above narratives underscore the vast opportunities within Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, driven by transformative reforms under the PIA, Presidential Executive Orders, supportive policies, tax incentives, and ongoing infrastructure improvements.

“With abundant natural resources, and a large, youthful, future-ready and innovative workforce, Nigeria stands as a compelling and competitive destination for both existing investors and new entrants seeking to participate in our dynamic and promising energy landscape.

“There are new frontier opportunities in onshore, shallow water and deep offshore blocks, especially in underexplored basins, enabled by our new licensing rounds regime.

“There are also other vast and compelling transformative opportunities particularly in natural gas development, gas-to-power initiatives, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) projects, FLNGs and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation infrastructure, aimed at enhancing both export capacity and domestic energy supply.

“In addition, attractive green investment prospects exist in decarbonisation technologies and renewable energy solutions, as well as a wide range of other investment and business opportunities in project financing, investment and technical services”, he said.

He noted that despite the fact that infrastructure deficits and investment apathy, fuelled by the global energy transition and environmental concerns, still exist, they are not insurmountable, adding that with well-informed strategies and robust collaboration across local and regional stakeholders, these obstacles can be effectively addressed.

He was optimistic about the Commission’s forward agenda which includes: sustaining competitive licensing rounds, accelerating frontier basin exploration; fast-tracking the reactivation of shut-in and dormant assets; advancing the 1MMBPD initiative; expanding evacuation infrastructure to secure production volumes; deploying the Advanced Cargo Declaration System to curb crude theft and improve export transparency; guaranteeing steady domestic crude supply to refineries; enforcing Executive Orders #40–42 to boost commercial viability, operational efficiency, and local content participation; advancing social investment, and regional energy integration; operationalizing our decarbonisation strategies and enabling carbon market participation, and deepening gas commercialisation efforts across all initiatives.

Komolafe, who spoke on the keynote Address “Evolution of Oil and Gas Revolution In Nigeria: Opportunities achievements and Regulatory Strategies for upstream resources optimization “, commended NAPE for its landmark achievements for the past five decades in the oil and gas sector

“It is with deep appreciation and thoughtful reflection that I join you in celebrating NAPE’s 50th Anniversary, a remarkable milestone in the journey of an institution that has been the intellectual engine and professional cornerstone of Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector.

“For five decades, NAPE has stood as a pillar of geoscientific excellence, driving strategic exploration, advancing industry knowledge, and building critical bridges between academia, government, and the energy sector. This golden jubilee, themed “NAPE @ 50: Pioneering the Future of Energy in Africa,” is far more than a celebration; it marks a defining moment to reaffirm our shared commitment to building a resilient, innovative, and forward-looking energy future for Nigeria and the African continent.

“As we mark NAPE’s golden jubilee, we are reminded that this celebration is not just about the past, but about charting the course for the future. The regulatory evolution in Nigeria’s upstream sector has laid the foundation for a more resilient, transparent, and investor-ready enerugy landscape.

“Let us recommit ourselves to deepening our exploration frontiers and translating resources into inclusive prosperity”, he said.

Komolafe, who was honoured with the “Corporate Partner Energy Policy Reform Award”, said the transformative impact has been remarkable adding that the nation’s oil and gas sector has seen a significant surge in investment through new investors, empowered by clarity and quality in the sector.

“Oil and Gas reserves and production have increased, while rig counts have surged from 8 in 2021 to 43 currently, with projections to reach 50 by the end of the year. This momentum reflects a bold new chapter; one driven by ambition, resilience, and opportunity”, he said.